Rent Romus’ Actual/Actual: Here For The Outside

Rent Romus is a Finnish born musician based out of San Francisco. The jazz saxophonist has been sharpening his chops on the west coast jazz circuit for the past few years. Here he presents his Actual/Actual project's disc titled Here For The Outside, recorded live on air in the summer of 2022 at the WYSO Radio Station in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

This is free form jazz at its most volatile and I will say there is an abundance of talent on display. Romus often has dual saxophones competing for space, laying down jagged edges or more tuneful lines. The rest of the band keeping up in turn, winding and weaving vibraphone, piano, and percussion through chaotic patterns of discord. The second track (really the first if you discount the five second opening introduction) is completely deranged with its off-kilter drum work, including crashing cymbals and off the wall piano, Rhodes and vibraphone. There are moments when an inkling of melody appears only to be absorbed by the surrounding chaos. And so it goes for the rest of the disc.

This is not really my cup of tea as the melodies are fleeting at best, but there is no doubt anyone into free form jazz and the avant-garde will find more to latch on to. Check out the Bandcamp link below to get a taste of what these four musicians are all about.

Released on Edgetone Records.

Track Listing:
1. Introduction Actual Actual Live on WYSO (0:05)
2. The Call Returns (8:12)
3. Travelers In The Dust (7:33)
4. In The Middle Of It All (7:30)
5. Here For The Outside (8:55)

Added: January 28th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist @ Bandcamp
Hits: 278
Language: english

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